In the last year, Megan Ellison has moved from respected producer of multiple Oscar contenders to another deep-pocketed Hollywood player who failed to appreciate the hazards of building a distribution company. On Tuesday, a series of news flashes telegraphed a company in trouble.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
In the last year, Megan Ellison has moved from respected producer of multiple Oscar contenders to another deep-pocketed Hollywood player who failed to appreciate the hazards of building a distribution company. On Tuesday, a series of news flashes telegraphed a company in trouble.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Tuesday’s news about Annapurna shockingly pulling out of two projects –Jay Roach’s untitled Roger Ailes movie and the Jennifer Lopez feature Hustlers — in addition to its head of production Chelsea Barnard exiting, has raised serious questions in Hollywood about the independent studio’s financial livelihood moving forward. Barnard’s departure comes roughly four months after the Megan Ellison-run company lost its CFO Josh Small and President Marc Weinstock at the same time.
“A lot of these headlines about our financial situation are unfounded rumors and speculation, and it’s just business as usual,” said an Annapurna spokesperson.
Deadline sources estimate that ever since Annapurna started up its own marketing-distribution arm in July 2017, in an effort to take control of its own productions, that it has gone through some $200M in overall costs while its slate of five releases since then have combined to earn less than $40M at the domestic box office.
“A lot of these headlines about our financial situation are unfounded rumors and speculation, and it’s just business as usual,” said an Annapurna spokesperson.
Deadline sources estimate that ever since Annapurna started up its own marketing-distribution arm in July 2017, in an effort to take control of its own productions, that it has gone through some $200M in overall costs while its slate of five releases since then have combined to earn less than $40M at the domestic box office.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Annapurna president of film Chelsea Barnard has exited the studio, according to an insider at the company.
Barnard had been championing two films at Annapurna “The Hustlers at Scores” and an untitled Fox News film about the sexual harassment scandal that engulfed former chairman Roger Ailes. The projects weren’t working for the studio, the insider said.
The company declined to comment.
Also Read: Fox News Film Focused on Roger Ailes Scandal Dropped by Annapurna
Megan Ellison will take a more active role in the studio’s day-to-day in Barnard’s absence, the insider said.
Barnard was promoted to president of film in January 2017, having been with Annapurna since the company’s founding. Her promotion came in the wake of a slew of new hires, including Marc Weinstock as president, and who left in June of this year. Weinstock had only been with the company for two years.
Then in July,...
Barnard had been championing two films at Annapurna “The Hustlers at Scores” and an untitled Fox News film about the sexual harassment scandal that engulfed former chairman Roger Ailes. The projects weren’t working for the studio, the insider said.
The company declined to comment.
Also Read: Fox News Film Focused on Roger Ailes Scandal Dropped by Annapurna
Megan Ellison will take a more active role in the studio’s day-to-day in Barnard’s absence, the insider said.
Barnard was promoted to president of film in January 2017, having been with Annapurna since the company’s founding. Her promotion came in the wake of a slew of new hires, including Marc Weinstock as president, and who left in June of this year. Weinstock had only been with the company for two years.
Then in July,...
- 10/9/2018
- by Trey Williams and Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Blumhouse and Sony Pictures are adapting the ABC series “Fantasy Island” into a feature film, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
“Truth or Dare” director Jeff Wadlow is directing the film based on the series that ran from 1977 to 1984 and starred Ricardo Montalban, Herve Villechaize, Wendy Schaal and Christopher Hewitt. A revival of the series aired between 1998 and 1999.
Wadlow is also writing alongside “Truth or Dare” writers Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. Jason Blum will produce, while Wadlow will be executive producing alongside Blumhouse’s Couper Samuelson. Ryan Turek will oversee for Blumhouse, while Matt Milan will oversee for Sony. Sony Pictures, which owns the rights to the property, will distribute.
Also Read: Lucy Hale on Why 'Truth or Dare' Is More Than Just a Horror Movie: 'You Care for the People'
The series follows Mr. Roarke (Montalban), who grants the fantasies of people wanting to come...
“Truth or Dare” director Jeff Wadlow is directing the film based on the series that ran from 1977 to 1984 and starred Ricardo Montalban, Herve Villechaize, Wendy Schaal and Christopher Hewitt. A revival of the series aired between 1998 and 1999.
Wadlow is also writing alongside “Truth or Dare” writers Chris Roach and Jillian Jacobs. Jason Blum will produce, while Wadlow will be executive producing alongside Blumhouse’s Couper Samuelson. Ryan Turek will oversee for Blumhouse, while Matt Milan will oversee for Sony. Sony Pictures, which owns the rights to the property, will distribute.
Also Read: Lucy Hale on Why 'Truth or Dare' Is More Than Just a Horror Movie: 'You Care for the People'
The series follows Mr. Roarke (Montalban), who grants the fantasies of people wanting to come...
- 7/31/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
The horror production house Blumhouse said it has plucked Josh Small from indie studio Annapurna, to be the company’s new chief financial officer.
Small was the CFO at Annapurna, the studio behind “Detroit” and 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You.” Annapurna will promote James Pong in Small’s place.
He joined Annapurna in 2015 after a two-year stint running the operations at Topline Game Labs. Small previously worked at Canon Media Partners, Jp Morgan, and Universal Pictures. He is replacing Roland Wieshofer at Blumhouse, and will be tasked with helping continue the company’s expansion into television.
Wieshofer, who played an instrumental role in Blumhouse’s growth, is leaving the company to pursue an opportunity in the start-ups world.
Also Read: Netflix's First Indian Horror Series 'Ghoul' Gets Bloody First Trailer (Video)
Blumhouse has been aggressively moving into TV, currently producing HBO’s big summer show “Sharp Objects,...
Small was the CFO at Annapurna, the studio behind “Detroit” and 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You.” Annapurna will promote James Pong in Small’s place.
He joined Annapurna in 2015 after a two-year stint running the operations at Topline Game Labs. Small previously worked at Canon Media Partners, Jp Morgan, and Universal Pictures. He is replacing Roland Wieshofer at Blumhouse, and will be tasked with helping continue the company’s expansion into television.
Wieshofer, who played an instrumental role in Blumhouse’s growth, is leaving the company to pursue an opportunity in the start-ups world.
Also Read: Netflix's First Indian Horror Series 'Ghoul' Gets Bloody First Trailer (Video)
Blumhouse has been aggressively moving into TV, currently producing HBO’s big summer show “Sharp Objects,...
- 7/12/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Blumhouse has tapped Josh Small as its chief financial officer, Variety has learned. He leaves Annapurna, the indie studio behind “Detroit” and “The Master,” where he served in the same role.
Annapurna will promote James Pong to replace the departing Small as CFO. At Annapurna, he has led business development. Pong joined Annapurna from Sony and began his career in investment banking and strategic consulting.
Small joined Annapurna in 2015 after a stint at running business operations for Topline Game Labs. He previously worked at Canon Media Partners, Jp Morgan, and Universal Pictures. He will replace Roland Wieshofer at Blumhouse, where he will be tasked with helping the company continue to expand into television.
Blumhouse is best known as the producer of box office successes such as “Get Out,” “The Purge,” and “Insidious.” But it has been rapidly building up its television division, and is producing several prestige shows such as...
Annapurna will promote James Pong to replace the departing Small as CFO. At Annapurna, he has led business development. Pong joined Annapurna from Sony and began his career in investment banking and strategic consulting.
Small joined Annapurna in 2015 after a stint at running business operations for Topline Game Labs. He previously worked at Canon Media Partners, Jp Morgan, and Universal Pictures. He will replace Roland Wieshofer at Blumhouse, where he will be tasked with helping the company continue to expand into television.
Blumhouse is best known as the producer of box office successes such as “Get Out,” “The Purge,” and “Insidious.” But it has been rapidly building up its television division, and is producing several prestige shows such as...
- 7/12/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Deal will kick off with Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit.
Annapurna Pictures and Entertainment One (eOne) today (22 May) announced a new distribution partnership.
The multi-year deal kicks off with Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit this summer. The film, Annapurna’s first release under their new marketing and distribution arm, is set for release in the U.S. on August 4, 2017.
The partnership covers all media for all Annapurna film titles in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Benelux, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The deal was negotiated by Chris Corabi, Josh Small, and Don Hardison of Annapurna with Michal Steinberg and Spyro Markesinis of eOne.
Steve Bertram, president, Global Film Group, Entertainment One, said: “Annapurna’s track record of director-driven, award-winning projects continues to raise the bar. We are very pleased to broaden our relationship with Megan, Erik, Marc and the Annapurna team as they expand their slate and we look forward to bringing their high-quality film and television lineup to audiences...
Annapurna Pictures and Entertainment One (eOne) today (22 May) announced a new distribution partnership.
The multi-year deal kicks off with Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit this summer. The film, Annapurna’s first release under their new marketing and distribution arm, is set for release in the U.S. on August 4, 2017.
The partnership covers all media for all Annapurna film titles in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Benelux, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The deal was negotiated by Chris Corabi, Josh Small, and Don Hardison of Annapurna with Michal Steinberg and Spyro Markesinis of eOne.
Steve Bertram, president, Global Film Group, Entertainment One, said: “Annapurna’s track record of director-driven, award-winning projects continues to raise the bar. We are very pleased to broaden our relationship with Megan, Erik, Marc and the Annapurna team as they expand their slate and we look forward to bringing their high-quality film and television lineup to audiences...
- 5/22/2017
- by orlando.parfitt@screendaily.com (Orlando Parfitt)
- ScreenDaily
Kathryn Bigelow’s Untitled Detroit Project first film under partnership.
Hulu and Annapurna Pictures have signed an output deal that will grant Hulu pay-one window streaming rights.
Hulu gets exclusive streaming rights to Annapurna films following their theatrical release under the multi-year deal, the first of its kind for Annapurna and the biggest film output deal for Hulu.
Chris Corabi, Josh Small, and Don Hardison negotiated the deal on behalf of Annapurna.
Annapurna’s first release is Kathryn Bigelow’s highly anticipated Untitled Detroit Project on August 4, which centres on Detroit’s 1967 riots.
Next up on the production runway is the adaptation of Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette, which Richard Linklater will direct and will star Cate Blanchett.
The licencing deal is the latest in a string of moves from the company behind Zero Dark Thirty and American Hustle that includes the launch of a marketing and distribution operation earlier this year, and an output...
Hulu and Annapurna Pictures have signed an output deal that will grant Hulu pay-one window streaming rights.
Hulu gets exclusive streaming rights to Annapurna films following their theatrical release under the multi-year deal, the first of its kind for Annapurna and the biggest film output deal for Hulu.
Chris Corabi, Josh Small, and Don Hardison negotiated the deal on behalf of Annapurna.
Annapurna’s first release is Kathryn Bigelow’s highly anticipated Untitled Detroit Project on August 4, which centres on Detroit’s 1967 riots.
Next up on the production runway is the adaptation of Maria Semple’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette, which Richard Linklater will direct and will star Cate Blanchett.
The licencing deal is the latest in a string of moves from the company behind Zero Dark Thirty and American Hustle that includes the launch of a marketing and distribution operation earlier this year, and an output...
- 4/6/2017
- ScreenDaily
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